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Anal gland abscess?

I havent been around for a bit, life and health has kept me busy. But I think my poor Maggie had an abscessed anal gland. A few days ago (sat) she had some poop dried to her butt so I bathed her and cut the hair short (I usually keep it trimmed so this doesnt happen) nothing looked different or so I noticed. Today I noticed she was really licking the area so I had a look and she has some oozy drainage kind of puss looking blood tinged. It's not coming from the butt but just beside. I called my vet who of course is away all week, so I called another who can't see her until tomorrow. They asked how uncomfortable she was and she doesn't appear to be...I wouldn't have even noticed except the licking...of course she won't let anyone look...but that's normal for her.

Is it ok to wait? Is there any thing I can do for her at home in the mean time?

Re: Anal gland abscess?

Well I took her to the vets and I am so happy! It's not that serious...I was having visions of them having to sedate her, drain it etc... But the vet checked it out and cleared out the other side, gave her some antibiotics and anti-inflamitories and said to come back next week...and the most shocking thing...$66.01. I expected a lot bigger of a bill (that wasn't an issue) it just seems like when something unexpected happens it really costs us lol, it's fairly expensive here. One visit was $160.00 because she had a burr stuck between her pads 

Re: Anal gland abscess?

I am glad that your issue was resolved. I have that problem with my smallest dog all the time. It has been like that since he was 12 weeks old. It is an every other week or two thing. I have just learned to live with it. So has he, the poor little guy. I just take him to the vet to have his glands expressed every now and then. I was shown how to do it myself......but his glands just happen to not be positioned at 10 and 2......they had to be waaay up inside.....and I cannot do it no matter how I have tried. If I would have seen this post yesterday I would have replied. Sorry..............was busy training big old Abbylynn!

I know it is uncomfortable for them when their glands get clogged. I have given Leeo a dog aspirin a couple of times for it.....the times he just keeps licking and licking....and well, you know the rest of the story! I was told that when they get clogged it can turn into an internal infection that then leads to other health issues......what a mess that can be. I find it much better to have then expressed by the vet before anything else takes place.

~While you were busy judging others your closet door came open and a lot of skeletons fell out.~

Re: Anal gland abscess?

I usually take them to the groomer and they charge $5 (for that price I don't even want to learn to do it lol). She just wasn't showing the signs so I didn't think of it . The last time I took them both in the groomer said she barely had anything...but that was a while ago. Now I am going to take my other dog in then I guess we will go once a month...$10 is soo cheap for peace of mind even if there's not much there!

Re: Anal gland abscess?

That is a good price. I groom my own dogs so I have not much of a choice? Maybe I will check into it anyways! Thanks!

I had to learn to groom .......... I have two Schnauzer/poodle mixes,..... one is my late Mom's dog. It is so expensive for a groomer here. Poor little Leeo has had this for almost 5 years now! Funny....his brother never has had the issue!

Last edited by Abbylynn; 08-18-2011 at 11:25 AM.

~While you were busy judging others your closet door came open and a lot of skeletons fell out.~

Re: Anal gland abscess?

Yes I groom mine myself as well. Maggie is a JRT and needs to be stripped...too expensive lol plus she won't let anyone cut her nails...she nips. And my Bella is part poodle and its also expensive here. But for $5 they can do the anal glands lol